Dear everyone,

Ark St Alban’s Academy has just had its Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools and has come out very well. It seems a fitting end to 7 years of being the chaplain to the academy. Yesterday the Academy staff said their formal farewell to me in church though I will be in the school the first week of next term. I think it will be appropriate for me to continue delivering food bank bags to the academy while we remain in the vicarage.

Thinking of the opportunities for St Alban’s church I believe that used wisely the Anglo-Catholic Mission project and the Oversight Group can both be a source of strength and growth. The possibilities are there, and St Alban’s future depends on making the best of the opportunities we have. We had an excellent and enjoyable Cosy Christmas arranged by Mthr Charlotte and her team, with help from Rachel and her helpers to provide refreshments. The event is a good jump off point for future initiatives in Highgate. I know that St Martin’s in the Bull Ring are keen to work with us to reach out to the population coming into the new build flats and houses that stretch between our two churches. Combined with the academy chaplaincy I feel the mission opportunities this church represents makes it an exciting place that should attract good applicants as you search for a new vicar.

There are too many people to thank. Akole has kept me going throughout the 7 years we have been here. Out of sight, she has changed the slides for our services and looked after our zoom congregation. I must mention Chris, Amanda and Fay who have served as church wardens and been a source of encouragement when it seemed difficult. As Churchwarden, treasurer, successful grant applier and building work coordinator I think Chris needs a special thanks from everyone and not just me. Fay has been there for me when times were difficult. Amanda has done sterling work managing the foodbank (helped by Christina and Akole), and looking after the friends. Rachel too has offered quiet but caring support; she had also been our refreshment organiser, lift giver and, latterly, our flower arranger. Bryce and others have said Rachel is an angel. Bryce and Cynthia have supported by helping provide food and wine. Verna has done sterling work cleaning and polishing the church, an unseen job but without her help we would notice how much the church needs constant cleaning. I also want to thank Bryce for all the work he had done to keep music going between musical directors and cataloguing our music library (I am sure Bryce is correct that it is the best and most extensive library of Anglican church music in Birmingham). John Jenkin has also made an immense contribution to our music as well as being a tremendous encouragement. Edward and Maureen have kept our magazine going even when I am late with my letters (more months than not). I also want to thank them for type setting and printing a booklet of my poems. Although they are no longer with us, I would like to thank Aled and Kevin for their contribution to the music, serving and life of St Alban’s. Angela has now taken over the role of Director of Music and we should be thankful for her enthusiasm and determination to put St Alban’s music on the map. I also thank Harry and Simon, they have been the backbone of our serving team for the last 7 years, helped by Sam and Simon. Simon has also done a lot of electrical work for us.

Fr Andrew has been a constant support, priest, deacon and calm presence. We missed him when he was helping St Agatha’s in their interregnum and latterly with illness. It’s great to see him back in church and hopefully he will be feeling well enough to assist in our own interregnum.

I’d also like to thank Rhonda and Rashawn for faithfully supporting the family service. Congratulations to Rashawn on his confirmation the beginning of December. They both bring up the offertory when they are in church, and we would be lost without Rashawn to light our Advent candles. I hope that soon he will be able to help as part of our serving team on Sunday mornings.

To return to Zoom, Rachel will take on the job of looking after the sound desk and keeping our streaming services going. There are some technical issues to be sorted out as we are having to migrate from Mac to Windows.

We have faced some difficult times together, most especially through the Covid-19 lockdowns. I remember streaming Sunday Mass from the vicarage dining room using our portable altar and spare candlesticks from church. I particularly remember filming a Palm Sunday procession through the vicarage garden- probably one of the only precessions in Britain that year. The candlesticks I used during the lockdown are now on loan to St George’s where they will have a new lease of life.

I know that the interregnum will be a difficult time for the church and the academy. It is vital that everyone in church pulls together in the same direction. Do that, and with the help of Mthr Charlotte the church can grow and become stronger.

Best wishes for the future and may God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless and guide you.